• DCEO

• • Regional Site Readiness Program – Capital Ready – Round 2
    
    • Description: “…to support infrastructure and other capital improvements on sites across the state to advance the readiness of properties with industrial and manufacturing economic development potential.”
    • Eligibility includes:
      
      • “Local governments
      • Economic development organizations…
      • Nonprofit organizations
      • For-profit organizations
      • Private landowner”
    • Award Range: $100,000 – $5,000,000
    • Deadline: March 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM or until funds are exhausted (applications accepted on rolling basis)
  • Regional Site Readiness Program – Planning – Round 2
    
    • Description: “…to support planning and due diligence activities for sites across the state to advance early-stage site readiness on properties with industrial and manufacturing economic development potential.”
    • Eligibility includes:
      
      • “Local governments
      • Economic development organizations…
      • Nonprofit organizations
      • For-profit organizations
      • Private landowner”
    • Award Range: $150,000 – $150,000
    • Deadline: March 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM or until funds are exhausted (applications accepted on rolling basis)

• • Manufacturing Training Academies
    
    • Description: “…to provide capital grants to establish advanced workforce training facilities at downstate community colleges.”
    • Eligibility includes: specific community colleges in central and southern regions, see NOFO for complete list.
    • Award Range: $3,000,000 – $6,000,000
    • Deadline: April 30, 2026 at 5:00pm

• • Small Business Development Centers
    
    • Description: “…“DCEO” is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to seek qualified host organizations to operate Illinois Small Business Development Centers and provide program services.” “…Illinois SBDCs deliver professional, high-quality, individualized, confidential one-on-one advising and technical assistance to existing small businesses and pre-venture entrepreneurs.”
    • Eligibility includes:
      
      • “Fully accredited institutions of higher education such as public and private universities, state, and community colleges.
      • Private nonprofit organizations engaged in economic development activities.
      • Local counties or municipalities with established community/economic development departments and/or programs.
      • Public economic development institutions such as workforce investment boards and economic development corporations.

“…specifically in the geographical areas noted below. Any areas outside of those listed below will not be considered.

• • • • • This area includes:
          
          • City of Chicago Neighborhoods
            
            • West Side (Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale, Near West Side) o Far Southeast Side (Chatham, Avalon Park, South Deering, Hegewisch, Riverdale, West Pullman, Roseland, Burnside, Calumet Heights, South Chicago)
        • Cook County Municipalities
          
          • Elgin and Central and Southwest Cook County municipalities including, but not limited to, Forest Park, Oak Park, McCook, Burr Ridge, Maywood, Palos Hills, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Alsip, Homer Glen
        • Counties
          
          • Adams, Bond, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jasper, Jersey, Kankakee, Knox, Logan, Macoupin, Madison, McDonough, Menard, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Rock Island, Sangamon, Scott, Schuyler, St. Clair, Wabash, Warren, Washington, Wayne”
      • Award Range: $80,000 – $525,000
      • Deadline: rolling
  • Innovation Vouchers Program
    • Description: “Innovation Vouchers will provide grants for companies to engage in research projects in partnership with an Illinois institute of higher education. This will facilitate the sharing of technologies, knowledge, facilities, and equipment, and ultimately lead to the production of more Illinois-based goods and services and spur economic growth in the state.”
    • Eligibility includes: “Illinois-based companies with 500 or fewer total employees; Commit to maintain operations in Illinois for duration of project; Businesses that operate in key industries, including agribusiness and agtech; energy; information technology; life sciences and healthcare; manufacturing; and transportation and logistics”
    • Award Range: “…cover up to 75% of the cost of the research engagement (not to exceed $75,000).”

For a complete list of DCEO grants, please visit our website.  

• Additional State Government

• • General Operating Support
    
    • Description: “General Operating Support (GOS) Grants are offered to eligible not-for-profit organizations that provide arts programming to their defined communities in a manner that supports the mission of the organization.” Open to nonprofits 501(c)3 in good standing and branches of government (libraries, municipal county, etc.). Then there is an option for the Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) grants.
    • Award Range: “Applicants do not request a specific amount. Awards are determined by a formula that considers IAC’s appropriation, the number of eligible applicants, and the applicant’s expenses.” In addition, the YEA grant is up to $4,500.
    • Deadline: March 18, 2026 at 11:59pm

• Local Governments

• • City of Chicago: Small Business Improvement Fund
    
    • Description: “promotes economic development by providing small businesses and property owners with reimbursement grants for permanent building improvement costs.”
    • Award Range: $75,000 multi-tenant properties, $150,000 commercial properties, and $250,000 industrial properties
    • Deadline varies

• • Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability’s (DES) free Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) program
    
    • Description: Open to businesses in suburban Cook County who have 500 or less employees, were negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, were in operation prior to January 1, 2020 and are in the following industries:
      
      • Dry cleaning facility
      • Auto body or auto repair shop
      • Metal finisher
      • Metal fabricator
      • Food and beverage manufacturer
    • Award Range: up to $300,000 (please note, “To receive a BRITE grant, small businesses must complete the interest survey by DES or must have had a similar environmental assessment conducted by a DES partner or third party.)

• • Cook County – Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG)
    
    • Description: “CDBG-Capital Improvement: Suburban municipalities and nonprofit organizations serving suburban communities; CDBG-Public Service: Nonprofit organizations serving suburban communities; ESG: Nonprofit organizations serving suburban communities” Open to eligible municipalities and nonprofits in Cook County.
    • Award Range: Capital Projects: municipal – $500,000 and nonprofit – $150,000; Public Service Projects $125,000; ESG $25,000 – $125,000
    • Deadline: March 20, 2026 by 5:00pm

• • Cook County – Invest in Cook
    
    • Description: “Eligible applicants include local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies as well as any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for transportation or recreational trails within Cook County.”
    • Deadline: March 20, 2026 by 5:00pm

• • Village of Gurnee – Impact Grant
    • Description: “This is a 1:1 matching grant open to a business of any size located within the Village of Gurnee corporate limits, generate sales tax, in good standing with the Village and compliant with all obligations, & a building owner of a qualifying business. No minimum project size with a rolling application period.”
    • Award Range: $10,000 – $20,000

• Private/Community Resources

• • The Community Foundation for McHenry County – Emergency Grants
    
    • Description: “The Community Foundation for McHenry County is committed to enhancing county services and expanding financial support to local non-profits.” “The Emergency Grant program supports nonprofits facing unexpected expenses that significantly impact their ability to fulfill their mission or deliver services. This grant is intended to help organizations address unbudgeted, unforeseen, and time-sensitive emergencies.”
    • Award Range: unknown
    • Deadline: “This grant operates on a rolling application cycle

• • Woods Fund Chicago
    
    • Description: “…provide multiyear, general operating support to ensure grantee partners can sustain their work and operations beyond the scope of a single program.” Open to Chicago metropolitan area (city proper with some consideration of other cities in Cook County), nonprofit (501(c)3)), building power through community organizing and/or public policy advocacy, and use a framework of racial equity and/or justice.
    • Award Range: up to $35,000
    • Deadline: March 10, 2026

• • Sponsorships from Chicago Community Trust
    
    • Description: “Sponsorships are available for programming events such as meetings, forums, conferences, community and cultural events, and other gatherings. We will also consider sponsorship requests for fundraising events such as galas, luncheons, and walk-a-thons. Event objectives should align with the Trust’s priorities to strengthen economic mobility, increase opportunity and well-being, and address critical needs in Chicago communities.” Open to nonprofits located in Cook County or primarily serve Cook County.
    • Award Range: up to $10,000
    • Deadline: March 12, 2026 (please note this opens February 19, 2026)

• • ComEd Powering Safe Communities Grant Program
    
    • Description: Grants for “…for local public safety and clean transportation projects…” Open to ComEd service areas. Must be a nonprofit, municipality township, county, and other local government in ComEd service area.
    • Award Range: up to $10,000
    • Deadline: March 13, 2026 at 5:00pm

• • ComEd Powering the Arts Program
    
    • Description: “Through this program, ComEd and the League of Chicago Theatres look to reach audiences that have otherwise been unable to access the richness of cultural offerings throughout the ComEd service area.” “Eligible applicants are nonprofit arts and cultural institutions that are located within ComEd’s service territory and must be in good standing with ComEd related to provision of utilities.”
    • Award Range: $20,000 – $10,000
    • Deadline: March 13, 2026 at 5:00pm

• • The Allstate Foundation College Service Grants
    
    • Description: “…to empower youth-led, youth-driven service on their campus.” “At this time, only colleges and universities are eligible for this grant.”
    • Award Range: $10,000
    • Deadline: March 16, 2026

• • Amplify Your Brand Promotion
    
    • Description: “The Amplify Your Brand Promotion is built for businesses ready to take their digital presence to the next level.” “Five small business owners will be selected to win a professionally produced content package, designed to elevate your brand and strengthen your digital presence.” Open nationwide to eligible for-profit businesses. You will have to complete three courses on their platform in order to be eligible to apply.
    • Award Range: “…a content package valued at $17,000* including a custom video, content plan, and….” Etc.
    • Deadline: March 18, 2026

• • NFL Foundation Grassroots Program
    
    • Description: “…provides non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance with the goal of improving the quality, safety, and accessibility of local football fields.” Open nationwide to eligible entities.
    • Award Range: up to $250,000
    • Deadline: March 30, 2026

• • T-Mobile Hometown Grants Program (Spring)
    
    • Description: “…fund projects that foster local connections, like technology upgrades, outdoor spaces, the arts, and community centers.” Open nationwide to “Elected officials, town managers/employees, tribal leaders, or nonprofit [501(c)3 & 501(c)6] community leaders from small towns with population less than 50,000…”
    • Award Range: up to $50,000
    • Deadline: March 31, 2026